I think I've finally realized why most Moto guys don't run the Chain of Craters route and stick to pavement. The route that I keep seeing on here posted over and over again doesn't include it!! Kind of strange that such a large section of dirt is bypassed for pavement.

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I think that thru Mapais that Bigdog took the east side payment and most are just following his track.

This report has provided a great insight into the capabilities of that 250, which I now think is the bike for me.

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You know I almost forgot about the bike being a 250, it just does what you want and only might lack a little on the interstate if you want to run 75 all day loaded down. Though I did that for hours by drafting

The bike never skipped a beat and is rock solid dependable. I rode this little bike almost 3,800 miles on this trip and it never once put me on the ground either. Recommend Dunlop 606's highly too. If you get close to buying let me know and I'll share more info with you.

I think I've finally realized why most Moto guys don't run the Chain of Craters route and stick to pavement. The route that I keep seeing on here posted over and over again doesn't include it!! Kind of strange that such a large section of dirt is bypassed for pavement.

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Yes, I had Bigdogs track file and just followed it. So if you can provide some insight coming out of Grants, NM please do.

Even though packed very light I still found that I could have done with less. It is very easy to wash your clothes at night given you don't take any cotton. and then let them dry over night. I had two Klim jerseys and one short sleeve starter brand pull over from WM. Worked great!

Used the LD Comfort underwear and it worked extremely well, again easy to wash each night and dry by morning. I had two pair of shorts and one of the long johns. Never needed the long johns but thought I might if the night got too cool camping.

I had three pair of socks, one Klim and two MSR. All were fantastic but two would have gotten me by no problem. These socks wick away the sweat so well that you can wear them multiple days if you want and then of course just wash and let dry over night. Two pair would have been enough.

I am a real fan of the Olympia brand gear . I have the Airglide II jacket in Silver and matching pants in Black. Mary over at Motogear is great to work with and I love there no hassle returns too!

I did not use the liner that comes with the jacket opting instead for my Gerbings Jacket Liner . Having the ability to adjust the heat was a great help and I used it every day too! Temps were always very cool in the morning and then in the afternoon got up in the 75 degree range.
The pant liner I did use and it is also water proof so a great combination. Found I had to remove the liners a couple of days in the afternoon.

On Gloves, I had a pair I had purchased from the local Honda shop but the ones I like the best are by Cortech . These gloves I use in hot weather and I really like that the gauntlet covers my wrist and jacket. Fit is just the best.

Boots, no question SIDI is the best. I like the Canyon Gore-Tex boots.
I did bring a pair of tennis shoes for camp and to go to dinner with but if you want to keep long legged pants the SIDS would do for that too.

I also took along a pair of nylon pants with zip off legs that served as shorts or regular pants and could be washed and dried over night. Another Walmart cheapy.

Helmets, for me the Shoei Hornet was just the best, I did not want goggles so it was between the Arie DX or the Shoei and the Hornet fit me best. Again Mary over at Motogear in Arvada, CO. gave me a GREAT price. Don't go by the internet price listed, call her.

10Cup,
Thanks for the awesome gear report! I especially liked the part about "trimming down" the clothes pile. Dan (djaubs) and I are taking off this Friday morning for what will be our first "4 Day / All Dirt" trip through the Colorado high country and I really do think I may be overpacked..............But then again, I may also end up freezing my ass off!!! Who knows ~ this crazy "weather at altitude" has bitten me more than once this year!
:dog

Yes, I had Bigdogs track file and just followed it. So if you can provide some insight coming out of Grants, NM please do.

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Hi 10Cup and thanks for posting this awesome trip report.

I just completed my own trip down the CDR a couple of days ahead of you. Had I known you were right behind me I would have waited and said "hi"!

The Chain of Craters Back Country Byway is a worthwhile substitution for some of Hwy 117 coming out of Grants.

But in the big scope of things, it's not like you really missed anything.

I am so jealous that you were able to make it through NF150 just north of Mimbres! I'm sure the Forest Service's patch work sucked, but this is what the road looked like on Thursday, the 27th. (I met two Forest Service personnel on horseback who said I had another half mile or so of this stuff to go before making the decision to turn around)

It was a LONG detour back up and around through Winston, Truth or Consequences, and eventually to Silver City.

I just completed my own trip down the CDR a couple of days ahead of you. Had I known you were right behind me I would have waited and said "hi"!

The Chain of Craters Back Country Byway is a worthwhile substitution for some of Hwy 117 coming out of Grants.

But in the big scope of things, it's not like you really missed anything.

I am so jealous that you were able to make it through NF150 just north of Mimbres! I'm sure the Forest Service's patch work sucked, but this is what the road looked like on Thursday, the 27th. (I met two Forest Service personnel on horseback who said I had another half mile or so of this stuff to go before making the decision to turn around)

It was a LONG detour back up and around through Winston, Truth or Consequences, and eventually to Silver City.

Thanks again for the great photos and report. -Neil

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Man I'll say it was a lot better than that, sorry you had to back track that is a long way to go too. Thanks for the update!

Yes this track file does show the back way around HWY117 and a few other differences too. Would be too to have them both so that if you have to detour you would have a back up. Thanks for the info Fleg!

My take on that water crossing is that it really isn't all that bad, even on a fully loaded down 650. It is kind of deep, maybe around 18in when I went through it, but it has a nice, smooth, sandy and gravel bottom.

Maybe 10Cup would also like to give you his take on the crossing, but I don't think you should have too much trouble getting through it on your KLR650. (Even if you pack as much crap with you as I did!)

My take on that water crossing is that it really isn't all that bad, even on a fully loaded down 650. It is kind of deep, maybe around 18in when I went through it, but it has a nice, smooth, sandy and gravel bottom.

Maybe 10Cup would also like to give you his take on the crossing, but I don't think you should have too much trouble getting through it on your KLR650. (Even if you pack as much crap with you as I did!)

Have fun and ride safe. -Neil

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Yes, I agree with Neil, you would not have any problem from what I could tell. Bottom was predictable and wouldn't be a problem for a KLR even loaded down..

10Cup,
Thanks for the awesome gear report! I especially liked the part about "trimming down" the clothes pile. Dan (djaubs) and I are taking off this Friday morning for what will be our first "4 Day / All Dirt" trip through the Colorado high country and I really do think I may be overpacked..............But then again, I may also end up freezing my ass off!!! Who knows ~ this crazy "weather at altitude" has bitten me more than once this year!
:dog

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Don't know if your equipped for electric liners but they pack super small and pack a lot of heat. I use mine for my rain gear too!